Monday, August 13 2012 7:52 PM EDT2012-08-13 23:52:57 GMT
The Detroit Financial Advisory Board meeting Monday and is figuring out how to fix the financial mess in the city. That means pay cuts for all city employees are just days away.
The Detroit Financial Advisory Board meeting Monday and is figuring out how to fix the financial mess in the city. That means pay cuts for all city employees are just days away.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
$32,000. That's the starting salary to protect and serve in Detroit, one of the highest crime rates in the nation with one of the lowest starting salaries for a city its size. Now that number goes down again. 10 percent pay cuts for many city employees start on Wednesday.
For police officers, "We were already scraping to get by in the first place," said Scott Pellerito.
They will see cuts in their paychecks starting August 24.
"We have a lot of people that are probably not going to be able to make their mortgage. They may go into bankruptcy," Pellerito said.
He is an officer and on the board for the Detroit Police Officers Association. How does it hit home? Pellerito says it hits hard.
"I know of an officer that is collecting bottles to put food on his table, and that's previous to these cuts. It's not just 10 percent. It's the other benefits, as well, which amount to basically a 20 percent pay cut."
Rising healthcare costs makes the pay cut even worse, then there are the hours.
"A single family on a twelve hour shift that they're forcing us to do, where do you find a daycare center that's going to take your child on midnights for twelve hours," Pellerito remarked.
The mayor's office is imposing the cuts. Members of the Financial Advisory Board appointed by the state, mayor and members of the council insist they realize these are tough decisions, but these are tough times.
"Nobody's running for office. Nobody's getting big money. Everybody's doing it only because they want to help Detroit be better," board member Ron Whipple said Monday.
"We're moving forward with all the initiatives, imposing the contacts," City Council President Pro-tem Gary Brown also said Monday.
All the protests and anger isn't likely to go anywhere anytime soon, nor is the pay cut, which takes effect soon.
The mayor's office on several occasions and the Financial Advisory Board have maintained that they need to take these steps in order to balance the books and get the city out of the red. In the meantime, the DPOA says they'll be doing a little homework themselves. They plan to take legal action against the city.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:27:33 GMT
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
If you'd like to contribute to the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts, FOX 2's Amy Andrews says you can drop off supplies at the Democratic Club of Taylor (23400 Wick Rd.) now through Sunday.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:17 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:17:03 GMT
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:19:36 GMT
Michigan's public schools would get about 3 percent more and it's community colleges and universities about 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year under measures approved by Republican-led budget panels.
Michigan's public schools would get about 3 percent more and it's community colleges and universities about 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year under measures approved by Republican-led budget panels.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:47:05 GMT
Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots as the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the second round series to put the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
Jimmy Howard stopped 25 shots as the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the second round series to put the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
DPOA board member Scott Pellerito shares his thoughts on 10 percent pay cuts for Detroit police officers. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
